ab

1 of 6

noun (1)

: an abdominal muscle
usually used in plural

ab

2 of 6

abbreviation (1)

about
: the 11th month of the civil year or the 5th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar see Months of the Principal Calendars Table
: the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letters A and B and by the absence of antibodies against these antigens

AB

5 of 6

abbreviation (2)

1
able seaman; able-bodied seaman
2
abort; abortion
3
airborne
4
airman basic
5
Alberta
6
[New Latin artium baccalaureus] bachelor of arts

ab-

6 of 6

prefix

: from : away : off
abaxial

Examples of ab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There’s the title character himself, né Sergei Kravinoff, who is played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson in a fang thong necklace, washboard abs, and the glower of someone who is right on the verge of delivering a monologue about the dangers of seed oils. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024 Work on ledes like a model works on his or her abs. Jim Vandehei, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024 Draw the abs in at a quick rate to pump the air out of the lungs. Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024 On the carpet at the Elle Women in Hollywood Celebration, the actress wore a full leather outfit designed by Rokh, including a jacket with a sculptured bra cutout, which showcased her abs, and some loose-fitting pants. Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ab 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Hebrew Ābh

Prefix

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin ab-, abs-, a-, from ab, a — more at of

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1956, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ab was circa 1771

Dictionary Entries Near ab

Cite this Entry

“Ab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ab. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ab-

prefix
: from : away : departing from
abnormal
Etymology

Prefix

Latin ab- "from, away"

Medical Definition

ab

1 of 4 noun
: abdominal
usually used in plural
highly developed abs
ab exercises

ab

2 of 4 abbreviation
1
or AB abort; abortion
2
about

AB

3 of 4 noun
: the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letters A and B and by the absence of antibodies against these antigens

AB

4 of 4 abbreviation
1
aid to blind
2
[Latin artium baccalaureus] bachelor of arts

More from Merriam-Webster on ab

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